DelBene challenges non-committal Reichert on debates

Democrat Suzan DelBene's campaign has been hammering away at U.S. Rep. Dave Reichert over the last three weeks on the topic of debates, pressing the non-committal Reichert to respond to DelBene's request for four debates by mid-October.

DelBene, a high-tech entrepreneur from Medina, is challenging Reichert, a Republican, for the 8th District congressional seat that covers east King and Pierce counties.

DelBene spokesman Scott Whiteaker sent out a press release Tuesday arguing Reichert refuses to commit to a debate because he is "too aloof to talk about his record and too entrenched to care."

With a little more than a month to go before Election Day, Reichert's campaign has not agreed to any debates, but spokesman Darren Littell maintains debates have not been ruled out.

"His schedule is very full, but we’re working to arrange things to accommodate a lot of different requests," Littell said. "Nothing has changed from yesterday. The schedule still is uncertain and that’s all."

But Whiteaker said Reichert has made time for fundraisers, like one on Monday night with former presidential candidate Rudy Giuliani, and should give a straight "yes or no."